Studying to be a nurse at Southern University and A&M College, Kayleigh Stewart looks back on her time at Girls on the Run fondly. She joined the program in third grade at Magnolia Woods Elementary and continued until sixth grade. Her mother encouraged her to stay involved in extracurricular activities, and alongside Girls on the Run, she participated in the Boys and Girls Club, cheerleading, and took dance classes.
She first heard about Girls on the Run after overhearing other girls talking about it. Her speech therapist at Magnolia Woods also served as one of the program’s coaches at her school, and their strong relationship made her even more interested in joining. Although she was initially hesitant and did not love the idea of running, she soon realized that Girls on the Run was about much more than that.
“They never pushed us to be fast. It was all about keeping going and finishing. For me, it was more of a community.”
Describing her younger self as shy and reserved, she often kept to herself unless someone spoke to her first. Making friends was not always easy, as she lived in a smaller town where her friends were mainly her neighbors and cousins. Adjusting to a bigger city environment in Baton Rouge was a challenge. However, Girls on the Run slowly pushed her out of that shell. The program helped her speak up, work with others, and build relationships with the girls around her, which began to change how she saw herself.
“In elementary school, I wasn’t the girl I am now,” she says. “I was very shy and wasn’t as talkative. But with Girls on the Run, you had to speak. Because of that, everyone becomes sisters and friends.”
Even after she aged out of Girls on the Run, her relationship with Coach Ellie continued. The two stayed in contact over the years, and Ellie remained an important mentor in her life. She volunteered at Ellie’s boutique in Baton Rouge and still turns to her for advice. What began as a school-based connection grew into a lasting relationship that continued well beyond elementary school.
She continues to carry the lessons from Girls on the Run with her through her involvement on campus in organizations such as the NAACP, the Jaguar Activity Board, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), and the National Society of Leadership. She credits Girls on the Run with helping her become more confident and outgoing, saying the program laid the foundation for how she learned to make connections with others. She also hopes to give back in the future, possibly by becoming a Girls on the Run coach herself.
Kayleigh’s story is just one example of the lasting impact Girls on the Run can have long after the final 5K. If you are a Girls on the Run alum, we invite you to stay connected through Beyond the Finish, Girls on the Run South Louisiana's alumni community. Connect with fellow alumni, share your story, hear about volunteer opportunities, and continue making an impact in your community. Join the Beyond the Finish Line community today!
